Multiple purpose dispensing package and blank

Abstract

A multiple-purpose dispensing package having inner and outer shells wherein the inner shell is movable within the outer shell between fully closed and fully open positions. The inner shell is integrally pivotably connected to the outer shell. The package includes a snap-lock member. The inner and the outer shell are made from a single blank. Optionally, the inner shell, the outer shell, and the snap-lock member can be made from a single blank. The inner shell and the outer shell are connected along a hinge line integral with the single blank.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A multiple-purpose dispensing package comprising an outer shell having a multi-edged bottom surface and a plurality of panels including side walls panels upstanding therefrom the number of side wall panels being at least one less than the number of edges of said bottom surface such that said outer shell includes an elongated opening therein; one of said side wall panels constituting an outer shell rear wall panel oppositely disposed with respect to said elongated opening,   an inner shell including inner shell front and side wall panels, said inner shell front wall panel being integral with and pivotably connected to said outer shell along said bottom surface at said elongated opening, said inner shell being movable along said bottom surface and said inner shell front wall panel between a first position within said outer shell in which the interior of said inner shell is inaccessible and a second position partially out of the confines of said outer shell in which the interior of said inner shell is accessible, and   snap-lock means joining said inner shell with said outer shell for firmly seating said inner shell in either of said first and second positions, and for precluding said inner shell from being withdrawn completely out of the confines of said outer shell, said snap-lock means having upper and lower snap-lock portions connected at a fold line, and having at least one pair of connecting flaps connected to one of said snap-lock portions, and said snap-lock means further maintaining said inner shell rigid and precluding said inner shell from moving from either of its two positions accidentally.   
     
     
       2. The package according to claim 1, wherein said outer shell rear wall panel, and said inner shell front wall panel are broader than said side wall panels other than said inner shell front wall panel, wherein when said inner shell is in its second position, the entire contents of the package are disclosed. 
     
     
       3. The package according to claim 1, wherein said snap-lock means joins one of said inner shell wall panels with said rear outer shell wall panel. 
     
     
       4. The package according to claim 1, wherein said inner and outer shells are integrally fabricated from a unitary blank and a snap-lock blank which is secured to said inner shell after positioning the contents of the package upon said inner shell front wall panel. 
     
     
       5. The package according to claim 1, wherein said inner and outer shells and said snap-lock means are integrally fabricated from a unitary blank. 
     
     
       6. The package according to claim 5, wherein said inner and outer shells and said snap-lock means are folded and adhesively secured into a collapsed pre-glued form which can then be subsequently erected into the final package form, filled, and then sealed. 
     
     
       7. The package according to claim 1, further including panel means connected to said inner shell for hanging said package form a display rack. 
     
     
       8. A multiple-purpose dispensing package comprising an outer shell having opposed multi-edged bottom and top wall panels and a plurality of panels including side wall panels upstanding therebetween, one of said side wall panels including an outer shell front wall panel and an outer shell rear wall panel, said top wall panel having a top opening associated with said outer shell front wall panel,   an inner shell including inner shell front and side wall panels, said inner shell front wall panel being pivotably connected to said outer shell front wall panel along a pivot line, said inner shell being movable between a first position within said outer shell in which the interior of said inner shell is inaccessible and a second position partially out of the confines of said outer shell in which the interior of said inner shell is accessible through said top opening, and   snap-lock means joining said inner shell with said outer shell rear wall panel for firmly seating said inner shell in either of said first and second positions, and for precluding said inner shell from being withdrawn completely out of the confines of said outer shell, said snap-lock means having upper and lower snap-lock portions connected at a fold line, and having at least one pair of connecting flaps connected to one of said snap-lock portions; and said snap-lock means further maintaining said inner shell rigid and precluding said inner shell from moving from either of its two positions accidentally.   
     
     
       9. The package according to claim 8, wherein said snap-lock means joins one of said inner shell wall panels with said rear outer shell wall panel. 
     
     
       10. The package according to claim 8, wherein said inner and outer shells and said snap-lock means are integrally fabricated from a unitary blank.